In This Issue....
Thurston County Moves to Phase 2 of the Safe Start Plan
Sewage Pipe Leak Found at Percival Creek
Board to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on June 2
But first....
Thurston County's application for a variance to move to Phase 2 of the Safe Start Plan was approved on the morning of Wednesday, May 27. This approval was effective immediately. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/2ZHJkDP.
1
County Health Officer Issues Masking Directive
On Wednesday, May 27, Thurston County Health Officer, Dr. Diana Yu, issued a masking directive indicating that all individuals must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths, except when eating or drinking, when they are at indoor public settings, or outdoor public locations where they cannot maintain distancing of approximately six feet from another individual who does not share their household. People can use fabric coverings, such as cloth face masks, scarves, bandana coverings, or other material as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. You can read more about why Dr. Yu made this decision in a new Letter to the Community she released today (May 29) at: https://bit.ly/2Ai8zCa .

A violation of the directive does not create grounds for residents or law enforcement to stop, detain, issue a citation, arrest, intimidate, or harass individuals who are not in compliance. Instead, the directive should be used to educate, encourage, and persuade individuals to wear face coverings. Certain people are exempt from this directive. Learn about exemptions to this directive and more at: https://bit.ly/36HuIGi . 

For the complete Face Covering Directive, visit: https://bit.ly/2B8Ak0l . To find answers to frequently asked questions about the directive, visit: https://bit.ly/3gzUUXD .
2
COVID-19 Update
From Friday, May 22, to Friday, May 29, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services confirmed five additional Thurston County residents were diagnosed with COVID-19. This brings the total to 136 confirmed cases with one death . There have been 20 hospitalizations (number is of accumulated hospitalizations, not all currently hospitalized), and 130 have recovered or are recovering. The number of confirmed cases increased in the 98503, 98513 and 98516 zip codes. You can learn more in the latest COVID-19 Weekly Update report at: https://bit.ly/2M0fbaT .

Dr. Yu also released a Letter to the Community on Tuesday, May 26. The letter was sent the day before the county was approved to move to Phase 2 of the Safe Start Plan , but it provides great information on what being in Phase 2 means for Thurston County. You can find her letter at: https://bit.ly/2zEccCs .
3
Last Weekend Before Property Tax Due Date

The deadline for Thurston County residents to pay their 2020 first half property taxes is Monday, June 1. Late fees will be waived for individual taxpayers if 2020 first half property tax payments are received or postmarked by Monday, June 1. Taxpayers have three options for paying their property taxes:
  • Online at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/treasurer. There is no additional charge for the electronic check payment option online, but there is a 2.35% transaction fee for a major credit card payment and a flat fee of $3.95 for a VISA debit card payment.
 
  • Drop Box: Payments can be dropped in the secure courthouse parking lot drop box located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502.

  • Mail: Check or money order payments can be mailed to the Thurston County Treasurer at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502. 2020 payments made by mail must be postmarked by Monday, June 1.

Property owners can also sign up for paperless property tax bills so they can receive future property tax bills electronically, saving paper and postage. For those who create an account, it comes with the option to schedule your tax payment in advance of the due date, and email payment reminders will be sent ahead of the due date as well. To sign up, visit: www.thurstoncountywa.gov/treasurer .                  
4
Sewage Pipe Leak Found at Percival Creek
On Tuesday, May 26, Thurston County Environmental Health learned that there was a sewer leak or overflow from the bypass sewer line that crosses Percival Creek, near where there was a bridge collapse in February. The spill started sometime over the weekend and was discovered by City of Olympia staff. 

Lab results from water samples collected on Wednesday, May 27, at the mouth of Percival Creek, the Olympia Yacht Club, and West Bay Park show water quality meets public health standards for water contact. Approximately 230,000 gallons of sewage was discharged into Percival Creek between Saturday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 26.
You can find more information at: https://bit.ly/3gEpMGO .
5
Board to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on June 2
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, at 3 p.m. to accept public testimony on a proposed amendment to change the time period a Critical Area Determination (CAD) is valid. If passed, the amendment would change the validity time of a CAD from one year to three years. This amendment is part of the county’s 2020-2021 Official Development Code Amendment Docket . 

What: Virtual Public Hearing for Critical Area Determination Vesting 
When: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 3 p.m. or soon thereafter

Learn how to submit written comments and connect to the virtual public hearing at: https://bit.ly/36MdsQc .
Before you go....
Signs are available for residents and businesses to support the public in wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can download these signs in English and Spanish at: https://bit.ly/39hIvD7 .

There is a rumor circulating the nation that census responses might be used to determine eligibility for government benefits, including any potential stimulus package. This is false. For more information, check the Census Bureau rumors page at: https://bit.ly/3dePEXF . If you haven't responded to the 2020 Census yet, visit: www.my2020census.gov .